UK, Ireland, Russia, and Malawi

It has been a long time since I blogged any of my international work. So this will be a bit of a catch up edition I guess. Some of the shooting I’ve done this last year has been very different then in previous years. I was also asked to do a lot of interviews, to get stories to go with the photos. I’d like to share some of them with you as well. This year I had the incredible fortune of working with Tearfund, an international humanitarian organization based out of London England.

First set I would like to share are some images from some recent trips to the UK, the first was for field work. Collecting samples for my masters, the other was just for travel sake. I extended a photo trip and did some travel in North Ireland and England.

1-This is from Craster, north England

2- Whitby Abbey, England

2-Hadrians Wall, England

3-Stonehenge, England

4-Big Ben, England

5-Castlerock, Ireland

6-Dunseverick, Ireland

7-Giants Causeway, Ireland

8-Castlerock, Ireland

This sea bass fisherman waits by his rods for hours hoping for a bite.

This next set is from my time in Malawi.

9-I was on site shooting a group of kids and they sang and danced, as we were cluing up I noticed this woman passing by. Duane Codrington managed to get a shot of us. (below)

10- This incredibly strong young girl, just 15 years old, was a victim of repeated rape. She was continuously brought out to the fields by a known assailant. She is now a part of a growing support network, shown standing behind her all wearing the “silent no more” tee shirt. Silent no more is a campaign to speak out against violence against women. You can sign a pledge here, http://www.wewillspeakout.org/pledge/

^If you for whatever reason feel compelled to steal any of my images, which I implore you not to do (I will take action take whatever action I can against you), please respect this image in particular and contact me before you duplicate/copy/manipulate or do anything with this image in particular.^

11- This young man prepares his food outside his house. It is very unusual to see a man preparing his own food. He is framed here by his cloths on the line.

12- During a house visit a minister prays for a very ill woman while a volunteer sits with her. Her sister sits in the shadows.

13- A young girl sits by her violently ill mother. Her father, who refused to take her and her mother to the hospital when they became ill, stole everything everything from the family leaving not even a bed mat for them to sleep on. Her brother Gilbert, age 12, dropped out of school to become the “man” man of the house. He does his best selling peanuts to provide whatever income he can to help his family. Mama Theresa and her organisation, Somebody Cares, after our house visit returned with some supplies and the funds needed to get Gilbert back in school. The woman in the background is a volunteer with Somebody Cares.

14- An expectant mother waits at a field clinic for delivery of her second child. Women from surrounding villages go to field hospitals late in their pregnancy so as to not deliver in the bush.

15- A lab worker at a field hospital checks a blood sample for malaria.

16-An expectant mother (Ezira ) moments before her caesarian section.

17- This woman is a part of Village savings loan group. The first group, Takumana 1, has 25 members, 19 women and 6 men. They save money between them and then loan it out within the group. The first group was trained by tearfund and then they trained the second group, Takumana 2.

18- Kasaula Village Well 3- 18 meters depth. Constructed April 2010 by Assemblies of God Relief and Services (AGREDS).

19- Chitera health centre- Government health clinic A young woman gets a small drop of blood taken for am HIV test. This is standard procedure for all pregnant women. The second image is when she hears her results.

^The young women hears good news and wipes away a tear a relief.

Prior to travelling to Malawi I was working for a week in Russia. I was shooting for a program for recovering addicts. They have an intense program that begins at a farm where the addicts detox and through counselling attempting to regain control of their lives. After graduating the program their are optional follow up programs. One of which involves a work placement of sorts. One in particular is a plastic recycling plant.

20- Recovering addicts work in a plastic recycling plant. This man cuts up and sorts medical plastics and rubber for recycling.

21- This vat is used to break down the plastics into small chips which are sold to factories which can use the pellets to make new products.

22- This man, throughout my whole time in Russia, would be very helpful, and cooperative with this project. It was also great that his work station was by a big window and came complete with billowing steam.

23- Vladimir – After his new home burned down he tried to live with other people but that didn’t work out and he turned to the streets.. While homeless he struggled with alcohol. He joined the centre September 4 2011.

24-Nastya- She spent 6 years struggling with fast drugs/ heroin/ etc. and had several bad health issues related to that. After completing her own process, she came back as a volunteer to help other. She has been 2 years clean and in good health.

25- Each person has assigned jobs at the centre. For some that involves caring for the livestock.

26- The centre has a fully capable lumber mill which they use to process fell trees into lumber for their facilities.

27- A female volunteer prepares lunch for the patients and staff.

28- An integral part of the program, and Russian culture as a whole, is the Banya or Sauna. My experience with the Banya, was certainly an interesting one. I should preface the story by saying, I was the only one who spoke English, so an explanation on the process, which would have been very helpful, was not given. You start in a room adjacent to the one shown below. It’s a small change room, with a kitchen table in the middle. On the table are some bottles of kvass, (a russian drink similar to root beer), tomatoes, lettuce, rolled ham and other finger foods. When I entered the building (the 3rd picture down) there were 6-8 men sitting and eating, and another just joining in. Everyone is of course naked. The few men I came in with disrobe as well exchanging pleasantries. Nothing teaches you to look a man in the eyes like a Russian Banya. After some snacks I go into the room shown below to see the small pool being filled with a hose and buckets of water laid out on the bench with ladles. When I walked into the small sauna (second image) I was assaulted by the heat. I looked at the thermometer that read 80+ degrees Celsius and then started a timer on my watch so I wouldn’t stay in any more then 5 mins. I would like to add sitting on 80 degree wood… straight up uncomfortable. After my first 5 mins I step back into the room with the pool and notice the men going up to buckets and ladling the water over their heads to cool off. So I do the same. The first was too hot, then next was a bit cooler and the next a bit cooler still. So, extrapolating, I go to the bucket and pour it over my head. I should add I was getting some odd looks whilst trying the other buckets. This is because each man took a bucket from the pile and some cold water from the tap and then warmed the water with the boiling water in the last bucket until it was a temperature they were comfortable with. Each man had a bucket to himself. I of course didn’t figure this out until after I poured the bucket of boiling water over my head. After recovering amidst the laughter I returned to the sauna for another 5 min session. Towards the end most of the men returned to the room with the snacks and took some outside where we sat to cool off while getting eaten by flies.

I’m brewing a blog of the effect a camera can have, how it changes things, and I don’t mean for the better. I’ve experienced it a lot in the past, people going after their photo without consideration for the effect on local peoples self worth. This can often have an ostracising effect, in particular when experienced repeatedly over a long time. I’m not sure exactly how I want to approach the issue, but hopefully it won’t be long before it’s in print form.

You have some wonderful shots… so congrats for being so damn talented! But I must admit that I particularly enjoyed the ones about Russia, because I have a blog about Russia and I just HAD to love your banya anecdote.

haha Thanks! I’m glad you understand what an experience it really was. I wish I had the chance to do some reading prior to going. It was decided that I would go to Russian until about 2 weeks before I left.

You contextualize each image in a way that lends integrity and compassion. The greater harm would be in not sharing these stories, but I admire your willingness to weigh your footprints in their lives.

The portrait of the young rape victim made me cry; she is so beautiful and I am very glad she is getting support. Thank you for including the information that the young mother getting the HIV test was crying because of GOOD news. Very moving pictures.

Great shots from this year. I’d love to get more involved photographically with international organizations. Any info you have would be awesome. Congrats on getting freshly pressed, really great portraits.

Hey Dan, I appreciate the feedback. I will say this, it is hard to get involved with many organisations as funds are low. It is really important to have a collection of images you can use to show. I would strongly encourage you not to take photos without consent, try and build relationships and get close to people. Remember how weird it is for someone just to come and try and get your picture. Try and use that idea as motivation to gain approval. I have always sworn that there are many things more important then “the shot”. I have passed up so many, what I would call, amazing because I asked and people said no. If you feel the image is worth being taken, it is worth talking to the person sharing stories or names. It will end up with a sense of mutual respect and better images for you. Hopefully. Good luck with it!

love your photos from malawi in particular. after graduating from college, i spent a few months working in a rural village of mgwayi, about 20 minutes from malawi’s capital lilongwe and your photos and captions definitely resonate with some of my own memories…thanks for sharing

Thank you. I was amazed she welcomed me into such an intimate moment. when I walked into the ward I heard a woman in labour behind a curtain so I asked my translator if I could get some photos but I had no idea just what awaited me around the curtain. When I came around the corner I just kinda froze for a second, smiled and then did my job. haha

My favorite thing about Freshly Pressed is that it offers me the opportunity to see what others are bringing to the table of blogging. Amazing things I would never otherwise get to see or know about. I get to meet people who open up my world to great things, places, ideas and beauty.
This posting of your photography and your travel experiences just blew me away! I can’t thank you enough for sharing and inspiring me to try harder and look more closely when I hit the shutter button. I’m no photographer by any means, but I’d like to be better at what photos I do take.

Thank you. I’m really glad you took the time to view my work and to write such a nice comment. I’m also flattered you found it inspiring. I think the best advise I can give you when taken photos of people, is to relate to people emotion. In particular their discomfort or concern and make an active attempt to relieve that stress. Always aim for the joy and good, but without ignoring the bad. I think the process in and of itself can skew the bias of a story to the bad. For example just pointing your camera at a someone could make them look concerned worried or sad, and it takes work to overcome that.

I respect and am in awe of your sensitivity to your subjects. I could easily be in the same position, I am very uncomfortable with having my photo taken – I feel much better if I take the great photo! I think one of the reasons your photos are so amazing is the combination of talent, respect and emotion you put into them.

… I’m flattered you speak so highly of my work. I’m really glad you feel I am not passing judgement just information. I think there is a time and place for editorial style writing, but I also think it is so important to just show people, people. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you. I use all canon gear. You can see my kit here http://500px.com/photo/21749029. I’m not one who says the camera doesn’t matter, because I think good gear can open up photo opportunities that may have been otherwise impossible, but it’s important to know it’s role.

Brilliant photos! Your captions though short show deep insight and your passion for your work. Loved your pics from Ireland-beautiful! Of course, just had to laugh at your Banya experience- a good “note to self” for any guys who should somehow end up there too😉 all the best

Incredible work! You reminded me the realities of Mother Africa. They are so many things that boils at my heart such as that our African leaders and their governments had failed to implement so many things in favour of their own people to alleviate poverty and medical facilities, yet Africa is a blessed continent with all wealthy of natural resources. Only a few out of millions will benefit. Why a mother can not feed first her children before she fend others? Yet those who rely with mother Africa are doing so well to fend their children (nations). Maybe you know that your great work has provoked or invoked my African Spirit.

I’m really glad to hear these photos and stories have touched you. You are right that the mismanagement of funds has plagues many nations in Africa, (and elsewhere as well). I would like to encourage you by saying it amazes me how resilient the human spirit is, and a midst the ciaos, people can still have a heart full of love. I have found this to be true through out Africa.

Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed them. As I have alluded to above, I’m not really a writer but I felt it important to share some details of the photos. Please feel free to ask any questions about images and I can try and answer them for you.
Thank you for sharing my work.

I will be the first to admit I have been very blessed with the opportunities I have had travel wise, but I would encourage anyone who is interested to get out there and see the world. Meet interesting people and get their pictures! A lot of what I’ve been blessed to do is a result of persistence and hard work. Thanks for commenting.

Can I ask…How do you approach taking pictures of people just passing by or any stranger you just happen to want to take a picture of? In my travels I’ve often been too shy to take pictures…fear of rejection I guess!🙂

Well I think everyone is a bit different in their approach, but the key thing is to be respectful. Just because someone may be your “national geographic” moment if they say they aren’t interested, then you should respect that. The fear of rejection is an interesting concept, and you’re right it is intimidating to go ask strangers to take their picture, but what is the worst that can happen? I have have countless people say no, for a wide variety of reasons. For me I just respond with a smile and a nod and move on. I’m never pushy or insistent, I guess because I don’t like my picture taken I understand where they are coming from. Most place I travel there is a language barrier, but I always carry a small book of basic sayings spelled phonetically so I pronounce them close to right, and in there is always can I take your picture. Sometimes I don’t say anything, which is occasionally the case when someone is further away, and in these cases I raise my camera (normally not pointed at them) point to it and make a small gesture of yes or no. If I get a smile or a nod I’ll take a picture if not I walk away. Confidence is going to make or break the moment, and if you don’t have it… fake it. If your photos don’t turn out look like they did and don’t panic because you will get more later of other people. My word of cautious to you (and anyone) is this, you must take into account where you are and what local law and belief is. (particularly belief, as most people will break laws for their beliefs). So for example in many countries, in particular north west African countries there is an unspoken idea that taken someone’s photo takes their soul. As I am sure you are aware, people have traditionally been kind of attached to their souls. So patience and respect are key, don’t let people think you are trying to fool them either. I have found most people when approached calmly and with respect have no problem with their photo being taken, then it is up to you to make them comfortable with the process. (Normally you have maybe 1 min to make that happen so good luck with that). Generally I will tell people to ignore me and continue what they are doing, sometimes I will suggest moving slightly (if that won’t be an issue or what they are doing) so the light is better. If I want a smile from them I don’t ask for it, I just do a crazy amount of smiling and laughing myself. If I’m enjoying taking their picture people tend to relax a bit more, my nerves will feed theirs. For kids, it can be a bigger challenge because they are more weary of strange things and sometimes have the additional pressure of a parent over their should demanding happiness. (which rarely works) In these cases I use funny gestures or sound effects to bring back the smile that may have drawn me to them in the first place. I hope that helps you… if not… just be brave. haha

Thank you. The operation took about an hour. It was a success so I was told. Here is a photo taken when she was coming back into the recovery room. https://cboydrun.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/boyd4459.jpg?w=675. The standards are very different in places like this, for example when she returned she was still obviously under the influence of the general aesthetic but was immediately coached into breast feeding. Although that wouldn’t happen here, ensuring the baby properly learns to latch is considered more important then the risks of anaesthetics in the breast milk. The healthy baby boy was 3.12 Kg

Your landscapes use the golden light of the day, your portraits capture the emotions in wrinkles and smiles and also most importantly in your subject’s eyes. The image of the old lady is absolute brilliance. More importantly you have gone to the great pains of responding to every comment! Keep posting the good stuff, you have me hooked.

Thank you. She was a very nice lady. When I saw her watching what was going on I had to go talk to her and see if I could get her picture. Thanks for commenting. I think if people are kind enough to take the time to comment I should reply right? haha I’m glad you are hooked, I should warn you, most of my blog posts are more mundane… weddings and work that pays for this stuff. haha

haha Well I guess I’m glad you didn’t just go and paint them, but that sounds really cool. If you wanted to paint them just let me know which ones and send me a high res scan or picture when you’re done. It’d be cool to have. If you were looking to paint them and sell them we would likely need to work something out.

These photos are phenomenal! I enjoyed the glimpses into these people’s lives and the little tidbits of their daily lives. I think my favorite tho are the ones from Russia – coming from a Russian family, I so enjoyed hearing your take on some of our “traditions.”🙂 Thank you for sharing! -YB

Stunning photographs, tho I was looking forward to seeing a group of naked russians sweating in the Banya. Where you not beaten with birch-tree branches? Usually that is part of the process too. However I didn’t manage to stay longer than one minute.

HAHA I thought about it, but that was even too weird for me. I can’t believe I left that part of the story out! Yes I was beaten with the branch. haha It was definitely the weirdest part. Well actually maybe when the guy turned and gave me the branch to beat him… that was probably a little weirder.

I particularly love the photos of Malawi. How did you like the people? I went there for a month and thought the people were the nicest in the world. Great post and congratulations on being freshly pressed.

There is no doubt that there are many people who are suffering a lot of hardship through out Africa. It is important to remember that in many ways they are very blessed. I have learned so many lessons from the people I have met. Through their hardships their respect, tolerance, and ability to find joy in the simple thing is incredible. Their ability to see and focus on what really matters in life is eye opening. To be honest my time in Africa and other places has taught me so much, it sometimes make feel like we in the western word with all our needs met are the ones who are really missing out.

Interesting Site :O) i am an Irishman married to a Belarussian so i’m accustomed to the Banya “although i did’nt know it was called this” But its a very unique experience “oh and theirs is with Vodka so you feel like your burning up inside and out :O)
Enjoy your travels look forward to more posts.

Thanks Noel, Considering we were at a centre for recovering narcotic addicts we didn’t have any vodka. It was certainly an interesting experience all the same. I don’t know if I would want to be drinking though, it could end bad. haha

I am absolutely blown away by these images. Each one is utterly striking and conveys such richness. I’ve been to Giant’s Causeway, and it was one of my favorite places in the world. You image of it was like I was back there again; I knew exactly where you’d taken the picture from and where you were looking. The images of all the people were just enthralling. Loved all of these!

I adore your photos, especially number 21, it’s very evocative. I live near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, it’s lovely to see it on your blog (and Craster too, which isn’t too far away, did you have a kipper?)

I find your travel photos to be remarkable, both the “people shots” and the landscape captures, and would like to nominate you for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award.” The details associated with the nomination are at http://arabianmusings.wordpress.com/blogging-awards/ . I very much look forward to your future posts!

Thank you kindly. The trick with smoke, as with anything translucent, is to make sure it is lit from the side. In this case there was a large window near him, so by positioning myself looking perpendicular to that I could get all the steamy goodness. (because it was actually steam…)

I’m glad you found it as well! I’m really not that familiar with pintrest, would you be pin’ing the blog, my website, or the photos themselves? If there is a clear way to get back to my website http://www.chrisboyd.ca, I can’t see the harm.

Reblogged this on lkfischer1 and commented:
This is exactly what i would love to do!! i want to travel and use photography to be able to make website or magazines breathe with vivid life. i love how its clear he either uses emphasis or rhythm in many of his pieces.